Bold Art Matters Scholarship

Funded by

Art is a great way for creative students to express themselves.

Unfortunately, many schools have been making cuts to their already underfunded arts programs. In the year 2000, 20% of schools provided classes in dance and theatre. Since budget cuts in 2008, only 3% of schools provide dance classes, and 4% offer theatre classes.

This scholarship aims to support creative students who are passionate about art.

Any student may apply for this scholarship. To enter, tell us about your favorite piece of art and why you’re drawn to it.

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile

Easy Scholarships Art Scholarships Essay Scholarships Film Scholarships

Published April 14, 2022

Essay Topic

What’s your favorite piece of art and why?

150–300 words

Winners and Finalists

August 2022

Winners

Finalists

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Brooklyn Center, MN

Aidan Duthie

Elgin Community College

Elburn, IL

Emma Cecil

St. Mary's College of Maryland

Saint Marys City, MD

Crystal Perez

California College of the Arts

Houston, TX

Maggie Orta

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Traphill, NC

April 2022

Winners

Finalists

The Modern College of Design

Salineville, OH

Jeremiah Davis

The University of Alabama

Los Angeles, CA

Morgan Reeder

North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND

Miles Brehm

21st Century Cyber Chrt School

Carnegie, PA

Winning Application

Ashley Santiago

New York UniversityBronx, NY

As the twinkle of gold leaf catches your eye, you may picture extravagance: perhaps a group dancing in a ballroom, palaces or churches, portraits of kings. To your surprise what the precious metal illuminates is a mundane scene. Two lovers entangled, a piece by Gustav Klimt known as “The Kiss”. Though separate heads and limbs are visible in the painting, their bodies have rejected any clear distinction between the two; their robes and hearts become one. Beneath them, flowers bloom. The two figures meshing together is a notable feature. For me it represents the influence that others have on our personalities and lives. Though the two figures are assumed to be lovers, I believe that all relationships affect us. Some of my most valuable skills are adopted from my friends and family. My determination to receive a good education and have an impact on the world mirrors my mother’s determination to raise her children as best as she can. The flowers also serve as an emphasis on life and birth. They can also serve as a symbol for people, who are capable of blooming when surrounded by love. Focusing on his technique, it makes sense to me that Klimt chose to add gold leaf to a painting depicting such a simple act of love. Using the gold leaf, he most likely wanted to highlight the importance of ordinary moments. Kisses, hugs, spending time with loved ones: these are all interactions that we tend to overlook, especially if we do them on a daily basis. However, for me and Klimt and everyone else in the world, these moments should have just as much value as gold.

Isabella Sanchez

American UniversityCharleston, SC

My favorite piece of art is "April : (The Green Gown)" by Childe Hassam. It is displayed at the Gibbes Museum in Charleston, SC where I grew up. I did a presentation on it and later made a video about it for a class project. It is a wonderful painting with incredible emotion. I was captured by Hassam's use of colors and the amazing flowing dress from the nineteenth century. There was something that drew me into the expression on the woman's face that made it seem that there was something more going on. When I learned the story behind the painter and the painting, it really inspired me. Hassam was a dedicated painter in the early 1900s who was one the "Ten" artists who refused to display their work in juried exhibitions. He visited the city of my childhood during a period of time known as the Charleston Renaissance. Artist and writers flocked through the streets and establishments during that time capturing the culture of the era in numerous works of art. Hassam's painting was originally called, "April 1859". That was a special time to the artist and revealed why there seemed to be something special going on within the piece. The painting was of his mother, Rosa Hathorne Hassam in April of 1859. At that time, she would have been pregnant with Hassam who was born on October 17, 1859.